Filled with tree-lined avenues and elegant colonial buildings, Hai Phong is a popular base for scenic cruises in the UNESCO-listed Lan Ha Bay. Spend your time visiting Buddhist temples, touring local museums and soaking up the coffee culture at sun-dappled sidewalk cafes.

Things to do

Built over three centuries ago, Du Hang Pagoda is a magnificent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Admire intricate carvings, peer into hidden grottoes and explore the lush gardens. Entrance is via a bustling promenade lined with colourful stalls, flags and lanterns.

The Haiphong Museum recalls the city's rich history, showcasing archaeological finds, beautifully preserved ceramics and a hall filled with taxidermy animals. You can also wander around the gardens, which are dotted with war relics.

Hai Phong is a fantastic base for day trips and overnight cruises to Lan Ha Bay, a dramatic UNESCO World Heritage Site studded with hundreds of limestone islands, karsts and outcrops. The best trips include kayaking excursions and lavish lunch buffets.

Snag a table at Nam Giao, one of Hai Phong's most atmospheric restaurants. It's housed in a beautiful colonial building and filled with Asian antiques and artwork. Save your appetite for creative dishes, such as banana leaf-wrapped sea bass and clay pot caramelised pork belly. If you want to work on your culinary skills, sign up for a Vietnamese cooking class.

Getting around

Pedestrian-friendly Hai Phong is easy to get around on foot or by renting a bicycle. The city is also serviced by buses, taxis and auto rickshaws. Hai Phong also has buses to Hanoi and ferries to Cat Ba Island.